70 Is the New 50: How to Create an Enduring Legacy

By Chris Ambrose and Raymond Aaron

Walk Six Hundred Miles in His Shoes
Chris Ambrose's story begins in the 1940's, when he was a young boy filled with love
and laughter, living on an eleven-acre farm. His days included milking cows,
harvesting fruit trees, and the ever so playful pranks of a young boy, who harassed his
grandpa with his shenanigans. Come along with Chris as he finds the courage to do
the fire walk and swim with dolphins and tiger snakes. Throughout his 70+ years,
Chris has challenged life. He has learned about martial arts, financial freedom to
protect his senior life, proper dietary needs, and how to recover from devastation.
Walk 600 miles in his shoes, and learn how to become a healthy, successful and
happy well-balanced person, looking forward to each new day. Hope reigns and
victories gain the path of all tomorrows.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Mar 13, 2018
• ISBN: 9781772772036

Book preview

70 is the new 50

How to Create an Enduring Legacy

Copyright 2017 Chris Ambrose

All rights reserved

Publisher

10-10-10 Publishing

Markham, ON

Canada

Printed in United States of America, Canada and the United Kingdom

Address all inquiries to:

Christopher Ambrose

For Additional Copies visit:

70istheNew50.com

Printed in United States

Print ISBN: 978-1-9998895-0-0

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced mechanically, electronically, or by any other means, including photocopying, without permission of the publisher or author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission from the publisher or author.

Limits of Liability and Disclaimer of Warranty

The author and publisher shall not be liable for your misuse of the enclosed material. This book is strictly for informational and educational purposes only.

Warning – Disclaimer

The purpose of this book is to educate and entertain. The author and/or publisher do not guarantee that anyone following these techniques, suggestions, tips, ideas, or strategies will become successful. The author and/or publisher shall have neither liability nor responsibility to anyone with respect to any loss or damage caused, or alleged to be caused, directly or indirectly by the information contained in this book.

Table of Contents

Reader Reviews

Dedication

Special Thanks

Acknowledgements

Foreword

Introduction

Chapter 1

How This Book Can Help You Change Your Life

Positive Inspirations and Examples

Activities and Pastimes That Will Help Keep Your Mind, Body and Spirit Active

Options for a Healthy Lifestyle

Ways to Improve Your Financial Freedom and Not Be Constrained by a Tight Pension

How to Leave a Lasting Legacy Both for the World and for Those You Love

Chapter 2

My Own Life Experiences

Growing up on a farm

Off to college and the Clywedog Dam

Civil engineering days

Irene

Chapter 3

How to Develop and Maintain a Positive Mental Attitude

Do something today and talk to someone!

Breathe to reduce stress and anxiety

Targets: keep yourself organized

Express gratitude, especially in hard times

The news can depress anyone…Stay in control…Make your own news

Breaking up routines: Fire-walk with Tony Robbins and making your own news

Chapter 4

Keeping Fit

Stretch. Older muscles need help too!

Build up slowly; don’t overdo it

United Kingdom coastal walking – What better way to exercise?

Connect your mind and body

Body changes with maturity

Chapter 5

Having a Sensible Diet

Balance and moderation

How the metabolism changes

Healthy Recipes with Fruits and vegetables

Water: Enjoy each drop

Useful supplements: what works for you

Chapter 6

Taking Up New Challenges

Interaction while clubbing

Socially connect and meet new friends

Sudoku

Challenging the brain-Language anyone?

Crafting for your spirit

Music for the soul-dance and play

Sharing your life

Chapter 7

Taking Up a Sporting Activity

Martial arts…Made just for you

Recreational sports…Your choice

Swim like a mammal

Chapter 8

Traveling and Seeing the World

Cruises, safaris, and group tours to Meet New People

Chris and Simon, bonded together…Hit the road

Don’t be afraid! Travel to new destinations

Key West and Key Lime pie, anyone?

Chapter 9

Ideas for How You Could Subsidize Your Success and Financial Independence

Business Ideas

Investing: in your future

Have you ever heard of the cookie jar approach to trading?

Shall we look at the Internet business possibilities?

Beware of get rich quick schemes…Learn from a trainer

Turn that knowledge into a profit

Chapter 10

Examples of Active, Motivated 70-Year Olds

Winston Churchill

Grandma Moses

Jack Cover

Ronald Reagan

Edmond Hoyle

Reader Reviews

All my life, I had known my father to be a strong, happy and positive man. That is until my mother’s death almost crushed him. When I came into the room one day soon after, to see him sobbing with his head in his hands and then look up at me to say, I don’t know if I can go on, my heart broke, and I believed him for an instant. But he did go on a day at a time, a new memory at a time and with new interests, dreams and goals he built himself back up to be stronger and happier than ever. This book is his journey and it is one that will be all too familiar to so many people. Hopefully his pains, triumphs and insights will serve to inspire readers and encourage them just as they have always guided me.

Simon Ambrose, Author/Entrepreneur

Generation Arc: How to Leave a Lasting Legacy

To Be Released 2018

I was pleased to be invited to read the first book written by Chris Ambrose. As a psychologist, I, have tried to help those in a time of loss to find a way to focus on the future and how they could overcome devastation and find purpose again. This book would be perfect to accompany just such a counseling experience. Chris Ambrose’s approach at facing life head-on is entertaining as he shares his way through life from childhood to retirement, but with a focus on development of mental and physical well-being. He takes your hand as a friend and leads you through life showing you that life is only beginning in your senior years. Expect to laugh, cry and wonder what he will do next.

Martha Char Love

Author of Increasing Intuitional Intelligence: How the Awareness of Instinctual Gut Feelings Fosters Human Learning, Intuition, and Longevity

It was my privilege to read Chris Ambrose’s book, 70 is the new 50, partly because I am at the age where retirement is a part of my life and new challenges have begun to cross my mind. Chris has offered you laughter, tears and successes, along with a few dare devil failures that make your senses come alive in spirit as he takes you from a farm life to one of engineering. Stories he tells make you wonder how he made it this far in life when chasing crazy and delightful adventures throughout his entire life. Then, you realize you are kept captivated because he writes from his heart. But while sharing his adventures, he educates you along the way with news around the world from the World War era to present time and even shares the life of success from investments. I highly recommend this book.

Douglas Adkins, Co-Author of Maggie’s Kitchen Tales: Dog Treat Recipes and Puppy Tales to Love

Bremerton, Washington

This is an amazing inspirational book about getting off the couch to make a better world for yourself and others. The author is very motivated and reading the book has made me feel inspired to make a better life for myself. I would recommend that anyone 50 and older, should read this book. I don’t write many book reviews but this was truly inspiring to read and review. I would give this writer 5 stars.

Marty Wright, retired nurse

Pennsylvania

70 is the new 50 is a wonderful self-help guide for those of us who have had a life-changing tragedy and are in need of direction forward and for those of us just dealing with the realities of aging. It shows us how to take use of our strengths and deal with our weaknesses to stay engaged and weather the inevitable misfortunes as we heal. Most importantly, it provides perspective and technique, allowing us to view life as an ongoing process, riddled with highs and lows, regardless of where we are on its timeline.

Alan Kane, MD, FACS

California

Author Chris Ambrose touched the core of my heart as I read through his book. I laughed, cried and cheered him on with each new page. It was awe-inspiring to watch his story unfold, tears flowing as I read about his journey through life’s most difficult loss. The story of grief shared during his darkest hour, to his adventures swimming with tiger snakes and kissing a dolphin. He is a story teller with purpose…helping his readers live life as they should, one day at a time with hope and positivity. Victory reigns for his ability to reach his readers and I, for one, wanted to either hug him or shake my head as if to tell him not to be such a dare devil!

Rosemary Mamie Adkins, Author

Reflections of Mamie: A Story of Survival

70 is the new 50 is an inspiring book that can benefit many readers. Having lost his dear wife Irene, the author had to find a way to make the rest of his life meaningful. The approach he offers is both practical and up-lifting. I highly recommend this book for readers, especially those who find they have to start over and discover a new purpose and destination in life.

John B. Rosenman, Ph.D.

Author of The Turtan Trilogy

Too often people think retirement at 65 is the end goal. But, with life expectancies steadily moving forward, does that mean sitting around and waiting to die? In 70 is the new 50, Chris Ambrose gives a resounding NO! He sees it as a time to reassess, to look at the possibilities and seize them. That includes taking the risk of being anentrepreneur, to become the achiever of your dreams. The question is, are you ready to make the effort?

R.L Cherry

Author of the Morg Mahoney mysteries, including Bad for Business

I have known my brother-in-law for 47 years and I am very proud of him. He was very much in love with my sister, always will be and her death devastated him. Yet, for himself and for his love of Irene, he moved on in living life. His book clearly shows that he has taken his grief and turned it in a direction where he could reach out to others, so they too, could find their way. It was written with heart and compassion, in the way he has always lived his life.

Sylvia Brookfield

England

Dedication

Dedicated to My Beloved Wife:

Irene Ambrose

December 1939 to March 2010

Irene, I will miss you forever; but I feel your presence close to me every day and I always know you are and were, standing nearby as I shared my stories.

This book is for you, sweetheart.

Special Thanks

Simon Ambrose, for his profound support during the loss of my wife and his mother, Irene. His devotion to me is how I endured all things, resulting with our tight connection. His book, Generation Ark: How to Create a Living Legacy, will follow and soon we will enjoy another adventure together as we travel for our book signings, sharing the great experience of meeting you, our readers. Simon, thank you for the years you have made both us so proud. I love you, son.

Sylvia Brookfield, my sister-in-law, who has stood by me for over 39 years also helped me deal with my grief, even while she dealt with her own. She has been a great friend through the years, for which I shall always be grateful.

Edward Mawdsley, a special thank you for the years of sharing miles of coastline as we swapped stories and tales while walking to reach our goal of 630 miles. Thank you Eddy for being my friend, family and walking buddy for so many years!

Steven Davidson, was not only my martial arts instructor, with physical, technical and emotional support but he gave me a reason to go on with life in a healthy way, while becoming my friend.

Jean Mawdsley, my-sister-in-law, who lives 250 miles away but has remained close for support after Irene passed away. Family means everything to me and her shared memories helped me along the way.

Tony Robbins, who helped me through his seminar, Unleash the Power Within. My son, Simon, and I took a walk-through fire with Tony’s program gaining the confidence I had lost after my wife’s passing.

Raymond Aaron, for helping open doors to a life I never knew existed. He helped me challenge my mind, learn how to take risk safely, and trust in myself. Through his company, The Raymond Group, my first book was published so that I could reach out to my readers who were struggling, as I once did.

Acknowledgements

Rosemary Mamie Adkins: A special acknowledgment for a friend who has helped me in varying endeavors while supporting me and always having my back. Mamie has been helpful with suggestions on how best to approach subjects from the standpoint of an author (Reflections of Mamie-A Story of Survival), as we became close friends forever. She provided me with advice, which I followed, to write my book by talking to you from the heart. Without Mamie’s help my book would have never been written.

Douglas E. Adkins: He became a friend at the same time as with Mamie. He never hesitated when I needed help on the computer or with editing parts of my book and he happily supported me with anything along this journey as we laughed and anguished together at some of my stories, especially the fishing tales of the ones that got away! I won’t soon forget the many hours the three of us spent together.

Foreword

70 is the new 50 addresses life head on, showing you the way back from any tragic situation. Whether you are dealing with an emotional or financial situation, this book draws you a roadmap of how to get through it. The suggestions Chris Ambrose provides will support your desire to protect your future retirement and live life head on.

Chris shares his life journey, and how he continues on living, daring whatever new experiences that come along to defeat him. By the age of 70, he had been retired as an engineer for several years and had already begun to experience life on his new journey. He enrolled in martial arts, walked barefoot on hot coals, swam with dolphins and sharks, studied the importance of a proper diet, learned—and continues to practice—brain exercises, and has written his first book! There’s more, but I won’t spoil it for you.

Grief is defined as a deep sorrow, especially if it is caused by someone’s death. It’s said that the only way to get beyond such a loss is to bury yourself in work. My friend Chris was lost in his grief, with no idea how to live his life without his partner. This book is a delicate balance of memories: the happy childhood memories of a boy who dared life to defy his own wishes, the heartfelt memories of meeting his wife Irene and the birth of their son, and the poignant memories of Irene’s passing.

This book will inspire you and give you the motivation to live life to the fullest. As you read through this book, you will laugh, cry, and cheer Chris on, as he takes you on different parts of the 600 mile walk in his shoes!

When I first met Chris at one of my events, he was a quiet 70-year-old. But he was also determined and filled with hope. I knew he would regain his life, and become even stronger than before. His hard work, enthusiasm and determination were what caught my attention. I realized his potential as a storyteller, as well as anything else he might set his mind to be.

I have seen incredible growth and healing within Chris. He and his son, Simon, attended a spiritual retreat I held in Jamaica. I even witnessed some of his daredevil, carefree and positive attitude towards life. Chris has evolved into a confident author who has just published this incredible book, in which he reveals his journey. His refreshing positive attitude is contagious.

As a co-author of the New York Times bestselling Chicken Soup for the Parent’s Soul, I can tell you that the way to success and happiness is through planning your future. When an unexpected event occurs, these plans will carry you through the toughest times, be it the type of loss Chris talks about in this book, or any other challenge. Your success depends on having a business and personal plan through retirement, and also plans for what you will do when suddenly faced with 40 hours a week in free time!

Raymond Aaron

New York Times Bestselling Author

Introduction

70 is the new 50

How to Create an Enduring Legacy

by

Chris Ambrose

My dear, my life is a tribute to you. It is through our love and friendship that I am able to sustain life as memories carry me through the journey of starting over.

Losing my wife Irene, who was truly my best friend, was the most painful experience in my life. We were everything together and she was my entire world. She became ill during the holiday break and after only four short months, she passed away in March 2010. It was as if a bombshell had exploded. I lost the love of my life in four short months. I felt empty and so alone, even numb not knowing what to do without her. It felt as though the world as I knew it had stopped or taken a holiday from reality. Reaching out at night, I found that the touch of her hand, the sound of her breath and her quiet manner were all missing. I was stuck on a motionless pathway, not able to see a future.

Everyone told me time was what I needed and all things would heal, allowing me to find my way again. But, emotional pain takes time, they all warned and I was in no hurry to put her in my memories because I needed and wanted her love close to me.

In time, I realized my family and friends were right. Time was my healer and getting involved with life helped me live again. I learned that even though the scars of her loss were deep, I was able to go on with new interest and decided my knowledge of a good life was one I could share to help others. I also wanted my life to pay tribute to a woman who loved life by doing my best for whatever time was left to have and use in my own life. After some time had passed, I found I was still able to find a way to live an extension of our rich lives together, making it a full, and meaningful life…If I can at my age, so can you.

For me, life had been full of happiness, love and security from the time of